Marketing Officer
Information for prospective staff
Department Information
The External Relations Department is comprised of Admissions, Community and Partnerships, Development and Alumni, and the Marketing team.
This is an exciting time for the External Relations department. We have worked hard to ensure that we provide the most positive experience to students and their families before, during and after their time at Freemen's. The hard work is paying off as we begin to see record numbers of pupil admissions, as well as significantly increased engagement, donations, and community support.
There is still more to be done, however. This role will play a crucial part in helping us to meet our team objectives as well as the School's wider strategic plan. Most days bring new opportunities and some challenges, which we face together, usually with a smile, a joke and whenever possible with cake.
The successful candidate would need to be comfortable in a team atmosphere and willing to take on responsibility within that team from the start. While we all have our distinct areas of responsibility, we are not afraid to lend a hand as and when other members of the team require it, with everyone collaborating to ensure the success and growth of the wider External Relations function. However, any new member of the team can expect support at every level.
The Marketing Team
As one of three teams within the External Relations department, the Marketing team works very closely with Admissions, Community and Partnerships, and Development. Led by the Head of Marketing and Communications and supported by a Marketing & Communications Officer, this is an exciting time of growth and change.
Information about the role
Purpose of post
To maximise student numbers, locally, nationally and internationally by raising brand awareness using online and offline media and promotional events.
The role is crucial to promote the school to prospective families, engage current students and parents, attract high quality staff, and maintain a positive online presence. Activities will include working with departments across the school to generate high quality, innovative content for our website, social media channels and printed materials to promote our school. Analysis of campaigns and marketing activities is vital to understand their effectiveness and to determine future marketing activities.
Main duties and responsibilities
1. Contribute to the development of the school’s Marketing & Communications strategy by generating ideas for effective internal and external marketing
2. Support the Head of Marketing & Communications to develop and deliver comprehensive, datadriven marketing plans for key entry points that align with the school’s objectives
3. Generate creative, informative, and relevant content for digital platforms, including social media, website articles, videos, and infographics, ensuring alignment with the school’s branding guidelines
4. Collaborate with internal staff and external designers to produce promotional materials, including advertisements, brochures, and prospectuses
5. Develop and manage relationships with external suppliers and agencies, writing briefs for the production of promotional materials for digital and print media
6. Manage the digital content calendar to cover events and promote various school departments
7. Oversee the school’s social media platforms, ensuring brand consistency and promptly responding to inquiries and comments
8. Optimise website content and structure to improve SEO rankings and increase organic traffic, using analytical tools for performance monitoring and conversion
9. Plan and execute digital marketing campaigns, utilizing GA4 and Meta Analytics for performance tracking, and provide actionable insights based on key metrics such as web traffic and conversion rates
10. Prepare comprehensive reports on campaign effectiveness with actionable recommendations for continuous improvement
11. Assist in organising internal events such as Open Days, coordinating with internal staff, printers, and catering services
12. Attend external events (e.g., school fairs, conferences) and high-profile internal marketing events (e.g., Fireworks, Productions) to raise the school’s profile
13. Implement a comprehensive social listening strategy to monitor online presence, gather feedback, and inform new marketing initiatives
Other Points
• Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties
• Reporting all accidents to the Chief Operating Officer via the School’s Accident Report Form procedure. Report forms are held in the Medical Centre
• Informing the Chief Operating Officer of any concerns regarding Health & Safety and safe working practices
• Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post
• To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the grade.
• Some weekend work or evening work will be required
Revision of Job Description
According to the development and requirement of the school, job descriptions may need to be reviewed and updated periodically after consultation with the job holder.
Person Specification
Please find below the qualifications, experience and technical skills required to undertake this post. Each criterion will be assessed at application (A), interview (I) or test (T) as indicated below.
Professional Qualifications / Relevant Education & Training:
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience that demonstrates an understanding of marketing (A)
• Good knowledge of marketing principles, tools and techniques and the ability to apply these to a school environment (A, I)
• Excellent written communication skills in order to write on and offline content, articles, newsletters and other promotional material and edit material produced by others (A, I, T)
• Excellent oral communication skills in order to liaise with marketing colleagues, teaching staff, external agencies and suppliers, and local and national media on marketing and promotional matters (I)
• Ability to evaluate marketing activities, present findings and generate ideas to improve their effectiveness (A, I)
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines (A, I)
Experience required, including budget holding experience:
• Relevant experience in a similar role providing marketing support to include:
o the writing and production of newsletters and promotional material
o the content and design of websites
o experience in continuous marketing through social media channels
o the evaluation of marketing activities
o the writing and design of printed promotional literature (A, I, T)
• Experience generating new ideas for marketing and promotional activities (A, I)
• Experience of designing on and offline collateral using Canva and/or the Adobe Suite or similar (A, I)
• Experience of event management and working as part of a team to deliver events (A, I)
• Understanding of marketing metrics such as, KPIs, conversion rates and ROI (A, I)
Technical Skills:
• Highly IT literate with excellent working knowledge of Microsoft office suite, websites and media and presentation software with the ability to design and produce brochures/magazines (A, I, T)
Other Relevant Information:
• Previous experience working in a school environment (A, I)
• Understanding of the independent education sector (A, I)
• Knowledge of Canva, Premier Pro, Open Apply, Schoolbase or similar CRM systems desirable (A, I)
• Photography skills (A, I)
Note to Applicants:
The qualifications, experience and technical skills will be used in the decision-making process for recruitment. Please give examples of how you have exhibited these behaviours in your previous role(s). It is essential you address the criterion marked as (A) on your application form in the section for supporting information. Be as specific as possible, we cannot guess or make assumptions, but will assess your application solely on the information provided. Try to provide evidence, by examples, where possible, of skills, knowledge and experience contained in this person specification.
How to Apply
Applicants should send a completed application form to the Headmaster via CLFSRecruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk, by 9am on Wednesday 27 November 2024.
Interviews will take place at the school during the following week. Candidates are asked to note that Freemen’s retains the right to interview and appoint at any time during the application process.
Freemen’s acknowledges receipt of all applications, if you have not received confirmation of the safe receipt of your application within two working days please call the School or email CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk to check on its status.
The successful candidate must be able to satisfy the City of London’s health requirements and a confidential medical assessment by the City of London’s Medical Officer is required.
The City of London Freemen’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced Disclosure).